By Chris Wright
Here’s you fudgin’ round-up…
Rumour No. 1: The agent of Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano has played down the speculation linking his client with a summer move to Manchester United or AC Milan.
Fabiano has a year left on his contract with Sevilla, although there is a buy-out clause in his deal that means the 29-year-old would be able to leave the Rojiblancos for around £25 million.
Rumour No. 2: West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed that the club were due to sign Miroslav Klose this summer, but the German striker’s stand-out performances at the World Cup have now made the deal ‘unlikely’.
So said Sullivan;
“We had a deal in place before the World Cup, after [Klose] had a bad season in Germany. However, as a result of what he has done at the World Cup, it’s unlikely to happen.”
It also looks like the Hammers’ £3 million deal to sign Lyon striker Feredric Piquionne has fallen through, as the club’s coach Claude Puel wants to hang on to the rangy forward.
The Best of the Rest: Manchester City will end their interest in Aston Villa midfielder James Milner if their improved £24 million offer is rejected.
City have also been told they will have to pay £19 million if they want to sign Lazio’s Serbian right-back Aleksandar Kolarov.
Arsenal and Tottenham are chasing Manchester City’s out-of-favour winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who could be available for as little as £6 million.
Juventus will attempt to prise left-back Gael Clichy away from Arsenal if they should lose Fabio Grosso to Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United are preparing a £20 million bid for Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli.
Monaco forward Eidur Godjohnsen is in talks with Tottenham over a second loan move to White Hart Lane.
Barcelona’s financial problems may jeopardise their chances of signing ‘Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano.
Liverpool hope to sell Emiliano Insua to Fiorentina for £5 million and use the windfall to sign Maynor Figueroa from Wigan.
Newcastle are chasing Canadian-born Dutch midfielder Jonathan de Guzman, after the 22-year-old was released by Feyenoord last month.
Wolves hope to complete the £4 million signing of Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne later this week.
There is a chance that David James will remain at Portsmouth next season, after the England ‘keeper held positive talks with the club’s management.